You are here

Florida tries to extend dominance vs. Tennessee; LSU rolling

Staff Writer

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Malvern, AR

Things to watch in the Southeastern Conference during the fourth weekend of play:

GAME OF THE WEEK: Tennessee at Florida: Tennessee can show it has reclaimed its status as an East Division contender if it's able to end Florida's decade-long dominance of this annual series. Florida has beaten Tennessee 10 straight times, including a 10-9 victory in which the Volunteers blew a nine-point, fourth-quarter lead last season. "We're just going in with the mindset that it's the next game coming up," Tennessee safety Todd Kelly Jr. said. "The past and the future don't really matter. It's all about the now."

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK: Arkansas offensive line vs. Texas A&M defensive line: Arkansas has thrown the ball more than you might expect — 94 times through three games — and hasn't allowed a sack all season. Texas A&M leads the nation with 15 sacks. If Arkansas falls behind and has to throw the ball 20-30 times on Saturday once again, it might be hard for the Razorbacks to slow down Myles Garrett and Co.

NUMBERS GAME: LSU has won 49 straight non-conference games in the regular season dating back to 2002, when the Tigers fell to Virginia Tech. ... Mississippi leads the nation in scoring offense with 64 points per game. ... Georgia's Nick Chubb has rushed for at least 100 yards in 11 straight games, making him two games shy of Herschel Walker's school record. ... Tennessee has scored 138 points, which is its highest point total through its first three games since the 1914 team racked up 171 points in its first three games.

UPSET WATCH: Even though it's coming off a loss to Florida, Kentucky is favored by a field goal over No. 25 Missouri. Yes, the undefeated Tigers looked very shaky last week in a 9-6 victory over Connecticut. They're still the two-time defending East Division champions. That track record apparently hasn't given this relative SEC newcomer much capital with the oddsmakers. ... Even after needing overtime to beat Jacksonville State and getting trounced by LSU the last two weeks, Auburn is favored by a field goal over a Mississippi State team that beat the Tigers last season.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Missouri RB Russell Hansbrough: He's considered probable for Saturday's game at Kentucky, and Missouri certainly needs him back. Hansbrough sprained his right ankle in the season opener and has just seven carries for 38 yards this year. He didn't play at all last week against Connecticut. Hansbrough rushed for 1,084 yards and gained 5.3 yards per carry last season. With Hansbrough hurting, Missouri ranks last in the SEC in rushing yards per game (107.7) and yards per carry (3.2).